SALEM — Kindergarten parents in the Salem school district can expect a call this week to set up a Buckeye visit for their little one before classes start on Sept. 14.

“We wanted to give them a chance to come in and see the building and meet their teacher. We want to make sure they’re as comfortable as they can be,” Buckeye Elementary School Principal John Lundin said Friday.

The first day for kindergarten students is a week later than the start date for the rest of the student body, which reports for classes on Sept. 8.

Lundin said they’ve used the staggered start before and decided to do it again this year since there’s no open house scheduled and there was no kindergarten camp to help get the new students acclimated to their new surroundings.

To help smooth the transition to kindergarten, the students and their parents will be invited to a one-on-one appointment to meet with their teacher sometime during the week of Sept. 8.

Lundin said nothing can really take the place of kindergarten camp, which is normally a week-long session for kids to meet the teachers and their classmates, take part in fun activities, get to see where everything is, eat in the cafeteria and even take a bus ride. But at least this way, they can meet their teachers and Lundin in person and see the school before the first day.

Going to kindergarten is a big deal even when there isn’t a pandemic going on and for some families, this may be their first child going to school. Lundin said he always welcomes parents to call him with any questions or concerns. The logistics, such as start times and other details for this year at Buckeye, which also houses first and second grades, are available on the school website at www.salemquakers.k12.oh.us.

So far, 115 kindergarten students are registered, but Lundin said that number may fluctuate between now and when school starts. Out of those 115, 31 have elected to choose remote learning. The kindergarten staff will include five in-person teachers and two teachers for the remote students. The introduction for the remote students to their teachers will take place virtually on the Chromebooks the school is providing to each student.

Pickup day for Chromebooks is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9. Students will be provided with a user name and password to log into their machine and Google Classroom will be the platform used. Students learning remotely will receive both live and recorded instruction which will take place mornings. In the afternoons, teachers will have office hours virtually to meet with groups of students or parents. Online teachers will work from the school.

Students who choose in-person instruction also will receive Chromebooks for lessons. Superintendent Sean Kirkland said previously that having all students using the Chromebooks will ensure a smooth transition in case they have to switch to all remote learning if COVID-19 numbers rise. Parents of students in all grades had two options: either send their child to school or do remote learning. The schools had to move to all remote last spring when the pandemic hit, but now many are opening their doors.

“It’s been a really tough time for parents. The parents just want to do the right thing for their kids,” Lundin said.

Since all students will be required to wear masks, he recommended that parents have their children practice wearing a mask for extended periods of time. Students will have their own desks and will receive mask breaks. He also said “I think it’s going to be important for parents to stay connected with their child’s teacher.”

Students will still have gym class, recess and special classes such as art throughout the day, along with lunch, but the processes will be a little different this year due to social distancing requirements.

“We have such a talented and caring staff at Buckeye. We’re going to make it work and overcome these challenges,” he said.

Lundin said the staff is looking forward to seeing the students back in the building. They missed the kids last spring. As the date for the first day of school gets closer, there’s more excitement.

“We’re eager for the year to start,” he said.

mgreier@salemnews.net